We do not normally provide electronic types of counselling, mostly because there are inherent limitations to confidentiality with respect to electronic media, which create extra risks to be managed. Unless otherwise discussed, it is requested that you do not share information that you wish to remain private through electronic media, and that any content you do share, that you accept in advance the inherent risks for privacy. For example, electrontic forms of communication cannot be guaranteed to be fully secure as they may not be encrypted or may be stored on servers which do not adhere to the standards required by the province pertaining to Personal Health Information. Also, your password which protects such content may be known to others or content may be accessible by others through shared devices and saved passwords, etc. If the information you wish to share before or after sessions has content of a sensitive nature, please do not communicate electronically, but rather contact your therapist or our Privacy Officer to discuss the best way to share this information. 

Email

Therapists at MFT Toronto do not normally initiate email with their clients with the exception of system-generated scheduling and receipting. In some instances therapists receive emails from clients and typically they will reply pertaining to appointment scheduling, logistics, or questions about our practice, types of therapy, rates, etc. It is not advisable to share sensitive or confidential information in an email which is not encrypted and stored on servers whose security may not adhere to the standards required by the province pertaining to Personal Health Information.

Text

Therapists at MFT Toronto do not normally text with their clients. In some instances therapists receive texts from clients and typically they will reply pertaining to appointment scheduling and logistics. In order to minimize texting, the main number for MFT Toronto is a landline. It is not advisable to share private or confidential information in a text which pops up without an ability to provide adequate confidentiality, is not encrypted, and is stored on servers whose security may not adhere to the standards required by the province pertaining to Personal Health Information.

Electronic Scheduling

For your convenience and to minimize administration, MFT Toronto uses "Jane App" an encrypted electronic scheduling page which is PHIPA compliant. Your therapist will request your permission to use electrontic scheduling before they use this tool to book an appointment with you. If you use the scheduling tool online to book an appointment youself, it will be presumed that you provided implied consent to have your personal health information consisting of your name, contact information, appointment type and date in conjunction with our company and therapist information stored electronically, and to have this information passed electronically (eg., email) for the purposes of booking, confirming, rescheduling, and reminding you of appointments. If you do not wish for this information to be stored and shared electronically please do not use the scheduling tool yourself rather call your therapist. Also, please opt out of this convenience prior to your therapist scheduling your first appointment.

Electronic Receipting

MFT Toronto uses electronic receipting for your convenience to issue receipts (or duplicate copies) which can be used for applicable health care claims or extended health care benefit coverage. Your therapist will request your permission to use electrontic receipting at the end of your first session. An electronic receipt contains personal health information consisting of your name, contact information, appointment type and date in conjunction with our company and therapist information. If you do not wish for this receipt to be shared electronically (email), then please notify your therapist to opt out at the end of your first session, and a copy can be printed instead.

Consent

By initiating, or responding to text or email, or by booking an appointment online, or giving your consent to allow your therapist to book online, or giving your consent to electronic receipting, you are indicating that a) you understand the inherent risks involved in electronic media, b) you are willing to accept the risks associated with the specific content that is being shared, and c) you release MFT Toronto and associated therapists from the requirement to safeguard your privacy specific to this content and these risks.